Research, development and innovation at a glance

There is a significant base of research development and innovation activity across the sector including:

• 46 specialist research centres or groups, developed and supported by various funding mechanisms
• This portfolio of industry-focused research centres and initiatives supported 521 researchers and support staff in 2011, all actively engaged in research activities
• The quality of these research resources is reflected in their ability to access a wide range of funding awards, including IRCSET, IRCHSS and TSR at national level and FP7 and Interreg from EU sources.
• Leading researchers in the IoTs have also demonstrated their experience and reputation by accessing 34 Science Foundation Ireland awards since establishment of the organization, covering Principal Investigator, Research Frontiers, Stokes Professorships/Lectureships, Starting Investigator, ETS Walton Professor and TIDA feasibility grants.
• A substantial postgraduate student base is sustained through this research activity, with 871 recorded in 2011.
• The work across the centres and initiatives generated €218mn in research funding between 2006 and 2010, of which 66% was allocated toward research in ICT, Health and Biotechnology, as shown below.

Research Funding in the Institutes of Technology 2006-2010

• There are 15 on-site innovation and incubation centres which provide dedicated space, support, facilities and access to research expertise for up to 300 new and growing companies at any one time. 
• Funding by Enterprise Ireland of 13 Applied Research Enhancement Centres, which build on areas of specialist research capability across the Institutes. As demonstrated in the table below these ARE centres have substantially expanded the level of interaction with industry around practical research and innovation projects, with industry investment in these projects increasing significantly in recent years.

Industry Impact from IoT Applied Research Enhancement Centres